Thousands of people have been fleeing to neighbouring Senegal and further away to Guinea-Bissau amid fears that violence could erupt over Mr Jammeh’s refusal to accept defeat in the 1 December election.

Property developer Adama Barrow, who is currently in Senegal, has vowed to take office on Friday.

He caused a major upset by defeating Mr Jammeh, who first seized power in a coup in 1994.